The first section of the Tyne & Wear Metro was opened in 1980, with the full initial extent of 55km complete in 1984. Today, following extensions to Newcastle Airport (1991) and Sunderland (2002) the system extends for 78km and serves North and South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sunderland city centres and several rail interchanges.
The 90 Metrocars do not run on street but on segregated routes throughout, with underground sections in urban areas and a length of shared running over Network Rail infrastructure on the Sunderland extension.
The system is operated by DB Regio Tyne & Wear.
www.nexus.org.uk/metro
